One game after being shut out by Richmond, the Hartford Yard Goats (56-65) returned the favor in 1-0 win over the Flying Squirrels (58-64) on Saturday night at The Diamond. The Squirrels out-hit the ‘Goats 6-3, but could not push across a run to the dismay of 7,811 fans. The two squads have split the first two games of the series and will settle the score on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Sunday in Funnville is a Kids Club Sunday with a special appearance from Thomas the Tank Engine.
Hartford’s Drew Weeks crushed a solo home run over the left field fence with two outs in the first inning to provide the game’s only run. Flying Squirrels catchers Matt Winn gathered a pair of hits and threw out two baserunners in the defeat.
Hartford lefty Sean Nolin keep Richmond off the board through his four innings of work. The Squirrels squandered a few opportunities early against Nolin including having a pair of runner son base in the first inning. Nolin induced a double play to end the threat and managed to work around a two-out double from Matt Winn in the second and a two out walk in the fourth. Nolin lasted four innings in his spot start and did not allow a run on five hits in a no-decision.
Squirrels starting pitcher Taylor Hill also worked four innings in the contest. Hill (0-7) was summoned to start the game when the scheduled starter Mike Connolly was bumped up to Triple-A late Friday night. The veteran Hill allowed just the one run on four hits. He walked one and did not strike out a batter in the loss.
Dan Slania relieved hill and tossed a par of scoreless innings. Slania walked three batters through a consistent rain in the fifth but was aided by catcher Matt Winn who threw out Omar Carrizales trying to steal second base. Slania stranded a pair in the inning and then retired the side in order, closing out his outing in the sixth.
Richmond lefty reliever Carlos Diaz also tossed a pair of scoreless frames and Dillon McNamara made quick work of Hartford in a 1-2-3 ninth. Unfortunately for Richmond, the ‘Goats ‘pen was equally as impressive. Scott Griggs (4-0) worked the fifth inning for the win and closer Reid Humphries shut the door in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.
The Flying Squirrels continue their five-game homestand with the series final against the Hartford Yard Goats on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. LHP Conner Menez (5-4, 5.01) is scheduled to make the start against Harford’s RHP Jesus Tinoco (7-10, 5.03). Sunday in Funnville is a Kids Club Sunday with a special appearance from Thomas the Tank Engine. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN.
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